Back-To-Back French League MVP To Join Grizzlies?

There was a time in the second half of the regular season that the Memphis Grizzlies were in ownership of the second seed in the Western Conference. Of course, that didn’t last. The Grizzlies made a late coaching change, had to get through the Play-In Tournament, and were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round. They have made the playoff six times in the last 10 years but have only won one series. Could the Grizzlies look to add TJ Shorts, the recently-named French League MVP?

Back-To-Back French League MVP To Join Grizzlies?

TJ Shorts Named French League MVP

Now 27 years old, Shorts was officially named the French League MVP for the 2024-25 season. It is the second straight year in which he received top honors in the league. Playing for Paris Basketball, whose head coach is longtime former NBA player Tiago Splitter, he has been considered the league’s best player in both years that he has played with the club.

In 25 games this season in the French League, Shorts has posted averages of 16.9 points and 7.9 assists in 23.7 minutes. He has also been remarkably efficient as well with shooting splits of .544/.394/.831.

Excelling in the French League, Shorts has yet to play in the NBA. That could change next season. As reported by Basket Europe, the point guard is expected to receive interest from the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason. After firing head coach Taylor Jenkins late in the season, Tuomas Iisalo took over the reins. The 42-year-old will remain in the head coaching role in 2025-26. Iisalo was Shorts’ head coach for Paris Basketball in 2023-24.

Grizzlies Point Guard Rotation

The Grizzlies rostered the shortest player in the league this season in Yuki Kawamura. A fan favorite, he took part in 22 regular season games while standing at just 5-foot-8.

Shorts’ listed height is just one inch taller at 5-foot-9, while his listed weight of 161 lbs. is just two more than the listed weight of Kawamura. His lack of size has made it an upward climb to have the opportunity to reach the NBA.

The Grizzlies, of course, have Ja Morant on the roster, who plays the same point guard position as Shorts. Also still signed for next season is Scotty Pippen Jr., who performed well both as a reserve and starter when Morant was out. Lastly, the other point guard on the roster is Kawamura, who will be a restricted free agent.

After spending two years at Saddlebrook College, Shorts played his final two collegiate seasons at UC Davis. In his junior year of 2017-18, he was named the Big West Player of the Year.